Also called: Catalyst Scientist, Reaction Engineer
Invents catalysts, the special materials that speed up chemical reactions for cleaner fuels, plastics and fertilizer.
You load a tiny tube with a powder you invented and run gas through it at 400 degrees. A machine measures what comes out. If your catalyst makes 5% more product with less waste, it could change a whole industry.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in chemical engineering or chemistry is typical.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry.
Growing about average. Research roles in energy and chemicals.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI and robotic labs now screen catalysts much faster, so fewer bench chemists per project; designing the hunt and interpreting results stays human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, AP Physics, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2041.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.